The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35